Fundraising for not-for-profit organizations is never-ending, and an on-going challenge as the economy struggles to regain some footing.  Donors have tightened their grips on contributions — the lifeblood for colleges and universities, 501-C-3 social agencies, the arts and other institutions that depend on the generosity of their supporters.

Without a steady flow of contributions, even the best managed not-for–profits flounder.  That is why fundraising is among the top priorities for the chief executive officer and the board of every not-for profit, especially state-wide and national organizations. However, even when donors balk at funding requests, when donations lag, and when special events don’t generate the dollars needed, there is still another alternative.

In fact this alternative is so powerful that it offers the choice of boosting the organization’s bottom line and/or of expanding its reach. The idea is so simple that many organizations have just overlooked it.  I’m talking about savings that can be realized by changing how print is bought.

A broader category than most realize, print includes direct mail, commercial print, financial reports, marketing materials, books or anything where ink is applied to paper.  It also includes creative services, labels, customized packaging, CD ROM, point of purchase items, branding, premiums, warehousing and fulfillment services.  All involve applying information to a substrate, no matter whether that substrate is paper, plastic, textiles or magnetic media.